Black Bush Polder residents protest Berbice Police

Alleged rape of teacher

Residents of Yakusari, Black Bush Polder on Wednesday afternoon picketed the Mibicuri Police Station – also in Black Bush Polder – demonstrating their frustration in trying to get justice for a school teacher who was allegedly raped and robbed at knifepoint.
The protesters are claiming that the victim and her family were chased out of one Police Station while the Divisional Commander is being accused of ridiculing the

family for going to the media.
Holding placards which read “We want justice”; “Why the police stop us to go to Mr Harbhajan office”; “A drug addict and a rapist cannot be free” and “No bail for a rapist”, the residents chanted “we need justice” as they marched in front of the Mibicuri Police Station.
The protesters say it is the only way they can peacefully vent their frustration at those in authority – who are now upset with them for taking their concerns to the media.
The angry residents are claiming that the Police in that area are now treating the alleged criminal as the victim, and the victim as the criminal.
Just over a week ago, the teacher was allegedly raped by one of her husband’s workmates while he was working in the rice field.
It had been reported that the man allegedly went into the house just after midnight, put a knife to the teacher’s neck and threatened to kill her if she did not cooperate. After committing the act, the man robbed her of a cellular phone.
One of the protesters, Sandra Vasquazuea, while on the picket line, said much of what the teacher had (on her phone) as private was now in the public domain. “The man had a knife to her neck and threatened to kill her. It is a ‘Common Entrance’ teacher who get students going to Presidents College. And it is not just rape; she was beaten in her face and had a knife at her throat …and her phone was stolen.”
Meanwhile, last Friday, Sunil Suelar, 18, of Yakusari North, was placed on $150,000 bail when he appeared at the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court charged with having penetrative intercourse without the consent of the said teacher.
Magistrate Charlyn Artiga also ordered the accused to not get within 100 feet of the Virtual Complainant (VC) and advised that she (the teacher) report any instance where the accused may be making mention of the alleged incident and if it is found that he was acting unlawfully he could be remanded. The matter has been transferred to the Mibicuri Court and comes up again on November 21.
However, family members are upset over the way they have allegedly been treated. They say while the suspect has not been charged with armed robbery, officers at the Whim Police Station told them that the suspect has promised to return the cellular phone. One of the victim’s sisters is also claiming that seven family members went last Tuesday to the Mibicuri Police Station to uplift the phone as instructed and they were not welcomed there.
According to her, they were outside the Police Station when one of the senior officers at that station made certain derogatory remarks.
“We ask him what is the next step with the phone, and he turn and say ‘alyu move from me face’…” the relative stated.
At that time, it was only the victim who was allowed to enter the police station as her family members remained outside.
However, the officer at that station has denied the allegations, but the victim’s husband who claims that he was right there when family members were verbally abused tells a similar story.
“The Corporal say if awe wan do he wuk an he start cuss up,” the man related. (Andrew Carmichael)